Composition and Method for Reducing Post-Prandial Blood Glucose

Abstract

A nutritional intervention composition for reducing post-prandial blood glucose levels in humans, including between about 0.1 mg and about 10 mg of a proteinase inhibitor that is administered prior to the meal. The composition is effective for treating or ameliorating the effects of hyperglycemia and Type II diabetes. The composition also is effective in combating obesity. The proteinase inhibitor is preferably isolated from plant material, such as potatoes, soy, and beans. Potato proteinase inhibitor II and soybean Bowman-Birk inhibitor are included in the group of effective proteinase inhibitors.

Description

[0001]This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 426,678, filed on Apr. 30, 2003, which claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 900,555, filed on Jul. 6, 2001, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,767,566 on Jul. 27, 2004.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates to compositions for reducing post-prandial blood glucose in humans and, more specifically, to a proteinase inhibitor that delays gastric emptying and reduces post-prandial glycemia which may be beneficial in combating obesity and Type II diabetes.[0003]Regulation of body weight depends on genetic as well as physiologic and lifestyle factors that are known to influence energy balance, such as diet, appetite control, metabolism, and physical activity (Aronne, L. J. (2001) J Clin Psychiatry 62, 13-22; Fernandez-Lopez, J. A., Remesar, X., Foz, M. & Alemany, M. (2002) Drugs 62, 915-44). Despite measures to combat obesity and an increased awareness of the associated ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]The invention consists of a method for reducing post-prandial glycogen levels in the blood of humans by the oral administration of a proteinase inhibitor or a combination of proteinase inhibitors. The proteinase inhibitor or combination is administered prior to the ingestion of a meal and reduces not only the initial rise in blood glucose following a meal (A Glucose or AG) but also the integrated area under the blood glucose curve (AUC) following a meal. The proteinase inhibitor(s) is effective for helping to maintain healthy blood sugar levels and for treating persons, such as those with Type II diabetes, which have adverse health effects due to hyperglycemia. Further, the proteinase inhibitor(s) is expected to reduce the propensity for weight gain by reducing the glycemia experienced by the body.

[0009]In a preferred embodiment, a proteinase inhibitor product isolated from potatoes is administered orally prior to a meal. The potato proteinase inhibitor extract contains between about 15% and about 25% by weight PI2 and also contains other proteins, including Bowman-Birk inhibitor. The potato proteinase inhibitor extract is present in an amount between about 1 mg and about 1000 mg per dose, and preferably between about 5 mg and about 100 mg per dose, and most preferably between about 7.5 mg and about 30 mg per dose. The potato proteinase inhibitor is effective to reduce the blood glucose spike following a meal by between about 5% and about 30% and the AUC glucose by between about 5% and about 40%. Another preferred proteinase inhibitor is Bowman-Birk inhibitor, which is typically isolated from soybeans. The Bowman-Birk inhibitor is present in an amount between about 0.1 mg and about 5.0 mg per dose, and preferably between about 0.5 mg and about 2.0 mg per dose. The Bowman-Birk inhibitor is effective to reduce the blood glucose spike following a meal by between about 10% and about 25% and the AUC glucose by between about 5% and about 30%.

[0010]It is an object of the present invention to reduce post-prandial glycemia in humans by the oral administration of one or more proteinase inhibitors prior to a meal.

[0011]It is a further object of the invention to reduce the initial blood glucose spike following a meal by the oral administration of one or more proteinase inhibitors prior to the meal.

[0012]It is another object of the invention to reduce the total area under the curve blood glucose following a meal by the oral administration of one or more proteinase inhibitors prior to the meal.

Problems solved by technology

Concerns over safety and efficacy of many anti-obesity products have limited their usefulness.

Images